THE REST OF THE HOLIDAYS

Well we finished off in Burgundy by doing the fair with the kids...................

 Romain and Benjamin on the Caterpillar

 MmmmmChuros

 Aunty giving the nephews a run for their money

 By night

Big kids

And of course we actually went for Anne-Sophie's birthday................

We also decided to five ourselves a treat in the holidays and go to Italy.  Considering the tunnel is only 30 minutes from us and we have never done it, an outing just for the day is manageable.  For €52 return though maybe an overnight stay or a week next time, shew pricey.

We traveled to Aoste about an hour in and then meandered back.

Still on France zipping around Mt Blanc

And now under Mt Blanc.  The tunnel.  At 52€ return make sure your trip is worth the expense.

Italy

How are the rooves.  Fabulous slate tiles and so huge or though you can't really see the size here they are huge pieces.

And castles everywhere.  It's really pretty and quiet different from Megeve.

Aoste is a mix of old and new, with lots of little streets in the old part, complete with coffee shops, cheese shops and yes mushroom shops.  They have a lot of places selling dried mushrooms from the region.   The ruins back onto the city and date back to I don't know when. We shopped, visited, ate pizza, pasta and of course GELATO.  And then bought cheese to go back to France because of course there is not enough cheese already in France.  Fontina, a nice melty cheese to go on pizza and pasta.

GELATO...........................mmmmmm...................

BURGUNDY

Well the kids broke up for the February holidays in March.  France breaks their holiday terms into three regions and then they overlap.  So each region gets two weeks off in February and for Easter in April and November.  So all  in all it covers a six week period.  This year Zone A is the last lot to take their holidays, so we miss the February ski season and Easter completely.  Next year we'll be the first zone to take the holiday again.  So we headed off to Burgundy for my sister-in-laws birthday.  It's nice to break free of the mountains, it's like living on a small island you seem to feel a little claustrophobic after a while.

 Leaving the Alps behind

 Mersault

 Watch out for these guys - you end up loosing points on your license

 The famous tiles of Beaune

 Fab wine here, this is where my Sister-in-law works

 Vines all ready for Spring

 When grape farmers lost their crops to viruses they turned to Cassis (blackcurrent) and this is why Burgundy is famous for Cassis or Kir which you mix with Champagne or White wine, delicious and they make the best out here.

Wine, Wine and more Wine

We also went to Beaune.  A really cute town with lots of old buildings and the famous Fallot Mustard.

And then on to the Moutarderie, loved it here, the tasting room has been done so beautifully, you can taste and buy.  We had a tour of the factory to but unfortunately no photos allowed.

Kids will be kids

 The tasting room

1€ gets you a pot of mustard

And that's all for now, will post the rest next time.